Event Profile

CONNECT 2018

The Sky’s the Limit!

A 360-Degree View of the Best Paths for Business Success.

From business strategies that keep you grounded to new technologies and workforce ideas that let your dreams fly, CONNECT 2018 gives p-h-c contractors and technicians a unique 360-degree view of the best paths for success.

Due to high demand during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, register NOW for tours and best flight AND hotel prices.

Kirk Alter is an Associate Professor in Purdue University’s Dept. of Building Construction Management, president of Fast Management, Inc., a member of the PHCC Educational Foundation’s Board of Governors and director for their management courses. He worked his way up from an apprentice to business owner, which brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to his training sessions.

Scott Appelman is the founder and president of Rainbow Ryders, Inc.- the largest balloon ride business in the United States. Rainbow Ryders operates 26 balloons year round doing over 2200 flights per year. Flying over 22,000 passengers annually. Rainbow Ryders’ pilots have flown in 45 states and managed events in Colorado Springs, Phoenix, Chihuahua and Guadalajara, Mexico

Thomas N. Applegate is a lifelong educator and workforce development professional having served as a high school career and technical education (marketing education) teacher, adult education instructor, college professor and college dean.

ohn Barba has been in the heating industry most of his life, growing up in his family’s plumbing and heating business outside of Boston. John’s practical experience includes everything from ditch digging and drain cleaning to boiler piping and PEX installing, as well as business management and contractor sales. Since 1995, John has trained over 27,000 contractors on the fine art and subtle scie

John Barba has been in the heating industry most of his life, growing up in his family’s plumbing and heating business outside of Boston. John’s practical experience includes everything from ditch digging and drain cleaning to boiler piping and PEX installing, as well as business management and contractor sales. Since 1995, John has trained over 27,000 contractors on the fine art and subtle sci

Chris Clark is the Director of Customer and Market Analytics at Ferguson Enterprises in Newport News, VA. He started at Ferguson in 2005 as the Senior Market Research Analyst and now leads Ferguson’s Market Research and Customer Analytics programs.
In his current role, Chris oversees Ferguson’s Market Research, Customer Experience, Customer Insights, and Digital Analytics teams. Their combin

Jim Criniti is the president of Zoom Drain in Philadelphia and one of the founders of the Zoom Drain franchise. With help from great mentors and business coaches, he’s grown his business from one used white truck into a multi-shop multi-million dollar drain and sewer cleaning company, and in addition, has helped create a growing franchise system that currently operates in 10 states.

With 30-plus years in the P&M trades and manager for one of Viega's most advanced training facilities in North America, Bo DeAngelo's passion for training is palpable. An outspoken industry bad boy, Bo pulls no punches when it comes to the stature and importance of the plumber/pipefitter and the elevation of their business practices to match their construction competence.

Brigham Dickinson is president of Power Selling Pros and founder of the Power Certification Program, a call handling training program that holds teams accountable to booking calls and creating WOW Experiences over the phone. Brigham started Power Selling Pros when he saw that call handlers needed assistance consistently converting calls to bookings back in 2009.

Beth Dobkin has 16 years of successful business ownership, 28 years of management and over 16 years of consulting experience and is a business management coach and director of coaching services for the Quality Service Contractors of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association since April 2012.

Beth Dobkin has 16 years of successful business ownership, 28 years of management and over 16 years of consulting experience and is a business management coach and director of coaching services for the Quality Service Contractors of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association since April 2012.

Jon Finch is the VP of Training and Recruiting for Milwaukee Tool. He has spent the last 18 years working on finding the best people to help the company realize growth over 20% each year. Jon embraces the technology for each generation entering the business and has focused on the profitability required to sustain growing business needs.

William is the VP of IT and Business Solutions at AHRI. Prior to joining AHRI, he was the SVP of IT Solutions at Intersections Inc., a leading provider of identity risk management services. William also held key management positions at AARP.
William earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, an MS and an MBA from George Mason University

Having coached 17 different trades to success Susan Frew now uses her experience to propel their family plumbing business. Susan Roberts Frew is a former International VP with AT&T Wireless, Business Coach with ActionCOACH business Coaching, Instructor for the SBA’s national Emerging Leaders program, radio host of “Coaching Not Just for Sports” on ESPN radio in Denver.

Rebecca Gold is a business coach for the Quality Service Contractors of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association since November 2015. She is a strategic adviser and coach driven by a relentless passion to help small business owners get what they really want, in business and in life.